Our Trustees

Jane Jackson

Jane is founder of Bristol Grandparents Support Group she set up the support group in 2007, when she lost contact with her granddaughter after family breakdown.

Jane was a full time carer to her Mum for many years and a Mum herself to two sons. When she returned to work she became a Teaching Assistant for 15 years and supported Special Needs Children, and children with low self-esteem, she qualified to teach PHSE (Personal, Health, Social Education) she was a Union Learning Rep where she signposted staff to further their professional development. Prior to that Jane was chair of governors at her sons Primary school for 4 years.

Marc Jackson

Marc is current treasurer of Bristol Grandparents Support Group. He worked for Waitrose for 38 years becoming a manager and he was involved in a large number of store openings around the country, he also spoke to community groups ect about the history and ethos behind the John Lewis Partnership. He was seconded for a 6 months period to work with The Soil Association as part of their events team, and was involved in the organisation of The Bristol Organic Food Festival in 2005.

He is now retired and maintains gardens with Jane for people who can no longer manage them.

Dr Liz Farnall

Dr Liz Farnall has been a GP in a local practice since 1987. She is keen to tackle issues of loneliness and isolation in the elderly population. In Henleaze, Bristol, a large number of elderly people are living alone, often isolated from their families. Dr Farnall is well aware of the extra heartache caused in those families where grandparents are denied access to their grandchildren.

Her own three daughters have now left home and are all currently at university. She is lucky enough to live close to her own mother and siblings, which highlights the loneliness felt by those people without close family links.

She is keen to support BGSG to enable people to help themselves and support each other within their own communities.

Sue Allen

Sue Allen is the current Chair of a Trustees for Families and Friends of a Lesbians and Gays ( FFLAG ) a national organisation which supports parents, family members and LGBT people during the coming out period.

Sue is also the founder member of Bristol Families and Friends which was set up in 1997, a local organisation giving the same support to families.

Sue is also a grandparent who is denied contact with her grandchild.

Bob Allen

Bob Allen is also a Trustee for Families and Friends of a Lesbians and Gays ( FFLAG ) a national organisation which supports parents, family members and LGBT people during the coming out period.

Bob’s hobby is breeding and exhibiting budgerigars and he holds a number of positions in various budgerigar clubs around the south of England and organises a number of exhibition budgerigar shows with up to 800 birds being exhibited.